Jewel Cave National Monument – Scenic Tour

Jewel Cave National Monument - Formation Room

The Scenic Tour of Jewel Cave National Monument explores deeper into the cave than the short Discovery Tour which I also joined this morning by mistake. Prepare yourself to traverse up & down over 730 stairs through a 1/2 mile loop that descends several hundred feet. After starting again at the Target Room we immediately … Read more

Jewel Cave National Monument – Visitor Center

Jewel Cave National Monument - Map of cave system

The visitor center at Jewel Cave National Monument is split into two parts: a small building that has a theater and film about the monument, and a slightly larger main building with the visitor center, gift shop, and modern entrance/elevator to the caverns. I watched the film and it is definitely worth seeing to help … Read more

Jewel Cave National Monument – Discovery Tour

Jewel Cave National Monument - Target Room on the Discovery Tour

Took a bit of a drive today to the southwestern part of the Black Hills, and after heading west from Custer about half way to the border with Wyoming I stopped to check out Jewel Cave National Monument. Proclaimed a National Monument by Teddy Roosevelt back in 1908, Jewel Cave is currently the fifth longest … Read more

Pipestone National Monument

Pipestone National Monument - Old Stone Face rock formation

Thus far on my road trip I’ve basically been making up plans as I go along. But my main goal for sticking around in this area was to visit Pipestone National Monument in Pipestone, Minnesota. I’ve had this on my “to do” list now for a few years and it never came together but happily … Read more

Tyler Forks Dells Falls

Tyler Forks Dells Falls - Long Exposure

My main destination for today was a spot called Tyler Forks Dells Falls, a series of rapids, falls, and cliffs. I visited back in 2019 but couldn’t find the trail, and couldn’t pull them up online as I had no reception. Today I had maps, cell service, warm temperatures, and nothing but time to explore. I … Read more

Superstition Mountain – Lost Dutchman Museum

Lost Dutchman Museum - Elvis Memorial Chapel

Last stop on this trip and for 2019 as a whole. I had to stay close to the airport in Phoenix to catch my flight. I tried a few local parks and attractions within the city area but it’s Sunday with perfect weather so everything is overrun and crowded. Struck out a couple times before … Read more

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum - Sunset over the desert

Winter weekends in Tucson apparently bring everyone out to play and crowds were swarming today. I left Saguaro N.P. because trails were packed and it was the same story at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Came here because I wanted to finally see a rattlesnake and mountain lion in person, and because everywhere I went people … Read more

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park - Views in the Big Room

After a quick stop in Roswell I continued down the road to Carlsbad, New Mexico.  Couldn’t find any good camping but was able to score a surprisingly affordable AirBnB.  Word to the wise – DO NOT rely on getting any cheap accommodations here, it’s oil country and they price gouge for everything!  After driving all … Read more